Since Jesus called us to “Love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:39), John Jackson shares how to develop a "grasp" on the needs of your community.

Since Jesus called us to “Love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:39), and He told us that our neighbors are those in need, how should we then live?  Here are some exciting challenges to help develop your grasp on the needs of your community: 

• Bill Hybels says that it is a tragedy that the average McDonald's owner knows more about our communities than do the pastors….and all they want to do is sell a burger and fries. He’s right and I’m convicted about it every time I think about it.
• Ask 3 simple questions in Chamber meetings and community forums in your town and when you are talking to new friends in town: 
  • 1) What do you think is the greatest need in our community?
  • 2) If you were to go to a church, what would you suggest that church focus on in order to meet the needs in our community?
  • 3) What one factor might make you consider attending church? When we did this in our former community when we planted a church, we got HUGE attention from people who were shocked that we were even asking the questions!
• According to George Barna, about 2/3 of the unchurched people in the United States call themselves Christians! But, when drilling deeper, their worldview is not at all consistent with Scripture. How can you reach your community and understand what they believe?